PALAKKAD: In a heavy blow to BJP in Kerala, former leader Sandeep Varier joined Congress in the presence of KPCC President K Sudhakaran and Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan. Amidst chants and slogans, congress workers gave a rousing reception to Sandeep who arrived with a small entourage at the Palakkad KPCC committee office to take his official membership.

Sudhakaran:

It is one of the most memorable days for INC Kerala. We are accepting Sandeep with open arms. He has been the face of BJP in Kerala for a long time. And now, he has decided to join arms with the secular democratic ethos of the country.

V D Satheesan:

Sandeep said goodbye to the politics of hatred and communalism and has decided to be part of the politics of love and inclusion. He is crystal clear in eloquence and a great personality. He was forced to advocate for the hatred spewed by BJP and now Sandeep has decided it was time to end it for good. He was a loyal worker of that party but his personal view was entirely different from BJP’s ethos.

Sandeep Varier:

I have decided to end my work in the ‘factory of hatred’ and will soon be part of the ‘Mohabbat Ki Dukaan’. The entire reason for my switch to Congress lies with K Surendran and his gang. I was demeaned and humiliated by BJP for expressing my personal opinion on social media. I was barred from attending television debates for one year. Some people within Sangh are now calling me a betrayer. I would love to ask them their opinion on the 17 accused in the Palakkad Srinisavasn case getting clemency from the court. No elite lawyers appeared for Srinivasan in the Supreme Court. Think about it.

Over the years, I have gone to the extent of locking horns with panellists and anchors, to shield my party. I did everything for the party despite facing humiliation from within. It was not worth it.

I was sidelined for opening up about the CPM-BJP unholy nexus in Karuvannur and Kodakara case. I am joining Congress not with an eye for any post, but only to work with a party that has legit concern for India. To be frank, I am in jubilance and relief over joining Congress and dumping the hate factory that I was part of for decades.